Overview

Program Model

The 4+1 model provides a seamless way for subject-specific majors to complete a bachelor’s degree, a single subject teaching credential, and a Master of Arts in Education in five years.

• Years 1-3: Students focus on undergraduate major content and foundational requirements, saving 9 units of elective credit for their senior year. They apply to the 4+1 pathway through the MA in Education with Single Subject Teaching Credential program at the end of their third year.

• Year 4 (Senior Year): Students take 9 units of graduate teacher education coursework as elective credits toward their bachelor’s degree.

• Year 5 (+1 Year): Students transition to graduate status for the summer, fall, and spring terms to complete remaining credential requirements and master’s research.

Eligibility

APU undergraduate students may apply to the 4+1 program once they’ve completed at least 60 semester hours of undergraduate credit. Applicants must be within an approved subject-specific major, which include the following:

• English
• Social Science
• Art
• Mathematics
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics

The 4+1 pathway is housed within the specific CAHST majors and the Department of Teacher Education.

Admission and Advising

Student Inquiries  

The academic success coach or program chair/director provides initial information about the 4+1 pathway. Where needed, the Department of Teacher Education single subject program director and coordinator will work with the undergraduate programs to provide additional information to inquiring students.

Application Process 

Interested students should apply during their junior year to the MA in Education with Single Subject Teaching Credential program. The admission process is primarily supported by the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.  

Application Documents

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

1. A completed graduate school application for the Department of Teacher Education

2. Proof of Certificate of Clearance (COC) from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

3. Two recommendations from a supervisor, former professor, or other professional

4. 1-2-page personal statement addressing the following topics: a) experiences from your background that enhance the teaching experience, b) the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working with youth, c) why you want to teach, d) preferred grade level or content area and why, and e) how you envision supporting the success of all students and contributing to the profession

5. Proof of valid TB test (with application or before clearance for clinical practice)

Admission

Students are notified by their graduate admissions representative as to whether they’ve been accepted to the program. Accepted students receive a welcome letter from the Department of Teacher Education.

Advising

1. The academic success soach and/or program will provide the initial advising and academic plan, indicating when the student needs to take the 9 units of graduate coursework during their senior year.

2. The credential analyst will meet with the student during the final semester of their senior year for academic advising for the graduate program.

3. During advising, the credential analyst will meet with the student to go over the student checklist and academic plan and request the student’s signature.

Enrollment

The goal is of the 4+1 program is to eliminate the typical “reapplication” friction that occurs after graduation.

• Junior Year Application: Students submit an application (including references, essay, and the Certificate of Clearance) to the graduate teacher education program by March 1 of their junior year.

• GPA Requirement: A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

• Conditional Admission: Successful applicants receive “Accelerated Graduate Status,” allowing enrollment in 500-level courses during their senior year. The following courses should be taken during senior year:

Course List

Code	Title	Units
TESP 501	Art of Teaching I: Foundations of Teaching	3
TESP 502	Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn	3
TEP 511	Art of Teaching II: Pedagogy and Instructional Design	3

• Final Transition: Upon graduation in May, students transition to full graduate status automatically, provided they maintain GPA standards.

Enrollment Process (Student)

• Self-Enrollment: Fully admitted students may self-enroll in approved 500-level graduate courses during their senior year.

• Campus Restriction: Students must enroll at the Azusa campus for credential coursework.

• Academic Plans: Students are encouraged to share their updated academic plan with the program whenever undergraduate advising occurs.

Enrollment Tracking (Program)

1. The undergraduate program tracks major-specific coursework.

2. The single subject program coordinator tracks student enrollment in graduate coursework for programming purposes.  The planned enrollment term is included in the tracking list.  

3. Once registration for the term opens, the single subject program coordinator monitors and updates the tracking list with course enrollment for each student, changing “projected enrollment” to “enrolled” as the student enrolls. At the end of each term, the single subject program coordinator monitors and updates the tracking list with course enrollment for each student, changing “enrolled” to “completed” if the student passes the course.